Meeting 1 – 2023/24 Date: Sunday 12 November 2023 Time: 10:00 – 12:00 Location: London Stadium Attendees
Club staff
Lee Woodcock, Supporter Engagement Manager
Charlotte Kennedy, Marketing Fan Engagement & Events Lead
Ruth Kennedy, Matchday Safeguarding Manager
JSB members
Richie
Rose
Grace
Zach
Lenny
Austin
Fraser
Mae
Kora
George
Agenda
Introductions
Itinerary
Project 1 – Create the new JSB badge
Project 2 – Create the new JSB flag
Topic discussions
Introductions
LW welcomed JSB members to their first meeting of the new group and handed them their official Club polo shirt and West Ham United executive notebook and pen.
JSB members were invited to introduce themselves, including sharing their favourite West Ham United memory.
LW explained the purpose and aims of the new Junior Supporters’ Board:
Provide feedback around the matchday experience
Assist in creating junior content for whufc.com and social media accounts
Liaising regularly with the Supporter Services team throughout the season
Contributing new ideas to provide a great junior fan experience
Itinerary for the day
LW took JSB members through the itinerary for the day, including:
Introductions
New JSB uniform for all members
Project: create the new JSB crest
Project: create the new JSB flag which features the new JSB Crest
Topics for discussion, submitted by JSB members
Pitchside visit for JSB member profiles and group pictures
Activity 1 – Create the new JSB badge
JSB members spent some time discussing and creating ideas for the new JSB crest to be displayed on Club channels. JSB members each had the opportunity to draw their own crest ideas from scratch, with the final design taking inspiration from all submissions.
The only criteria applied:
The crest – Is it a shield, circle etc.
JSB / Junior Supporters’ Board.
Using the claret and blue colour scheme The JSB crest will be created in November 2023 and shared with JSB members after the meeting.
Activity 2 – Create the new JSB flag
To accompany the JSB crest, JSB members were also able to draw their own concept for a new JSB flag to be displayed inside London Stadium on home matchdays.
The only criteria applied:
The JSB crest
JSB / Junior Supporters’ Board
Using the claret and blue colour scheme
The JSB flag will be created in November 2023 for display inside London Stadium on matchdays.
Topics of discussion
Fan Engagement
Half-time guide for junior supporters JSB members asked to review the junior fan area of the programme. JSB feedback was that this should be more visual, with less text information to make it more exciting for young fans. This could include fun facts and engaging activities, alongside some key information about the match.
Another idea put forward by the JSB was to communicate the Club’s history in a way that is suitable for younger fans (key milestones, successes etc…)
Greater presence of club mascots on match day JSB asked if Hammerhead and Bubbles could be seen in more areas on a matchday to ensure they reach as many young fans as possible. JSB also suggested that Hammerhead and Bubbles could be in two separate locations as well.
JSB said they would like to do some more engaging activities with the mascots – perhaps include things in the programme or website like ‘where to find them on matchdays’ – and make sure that a timetable exists so that young fans know where to find them.
Events and activities for younger fans JSB shared an idea for a creative competition for kids to get involved in – design something or submit a picture and the best one gets shown on the big screens (could also be voted on by the fans). JSB suggested prizes could include a signed stash or stadium tour.
On the pitch activities at HT
Themed crowd match days Pre-match quizzes (such as guess the season) for younger fans
JSB member also put forward an idea for a junior takeover for the Half-Time Quiz.
Community Engagement
Open training days to meet players JSB would like to see the reintroduction of Open Training Days at London Stadium and more opportunities to interact with players. These could be open to Season Ticket Holders as a priority before being available to other groups thereafter.
Creating a separate kids page on website/app A discussion was had around development of a new junior section of the website and app which is more relevant and tailored to young fans (different designs, different look and feel, succinct information). JSB members also suggested a junior web/app section could be a place to host young fan competitions, and match by match information, but a condensed version for junior fans.
The Club would also review opportunities for a matchday supporters guide for young fans – again using more visual descriptions and young fan-friendly language.
Christmas Discussions were had around a photo opportunity with the mascots on matchday, perhaps using the sleigh in the Stadium Store. Other suggestions were to include Christmas music in the Stadium Store and a Christmas jumper day.
Operations and ticketing
Access to toilets on the Stadium Island JSB member asked if there could be a return of the toilet facilities on the stadium island.
Accessibility JSB member mentioned the abuse of the accessibility lanes before the match with supporters abusing this.
Entry into London Stadium JSB member observed that the queues at the turnstiles can sometimes be longer due to supporters not knowing how to scan their digital ticket or not being prepared with their digital wallet/folded print out ticket.
Pitchside visit and photos
JSB members left the meeting to visit pitchside and the press conference room, before having their photos taken as a group and individually for their Club profiles.
Meeting ends.